Tobacco feeding devices for cigarette making machines



June 14, 1960 O. PETERS TOBACCO FEEDING DEVICES FOR CIGARETTE MAKINGMACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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TOBACCO FEEDING DEVICES F OR CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINES chamber by meansof a screen.

United States Patent TOBACCO FEEDING DEVICES FOR CIGARETTE MAKINGMACHINES Otto Peters, Hamhurg-Lohbrngge, Germany, assignor t Kurt Korher8: Co., K.G., Hamhurg-Bergedorf, Germany Filed Sept. 9, 1957, Ser. No.682,848 Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 10, 1956 6 Claims.(Cl. 302-49 This invention relates to cigarette making machines and moreparticularly to an improved tobacco feeding device for cigarette makingmachines.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide the tobacco feeding devices,which are conventionally disposed above the spreading devices ofcigarette making machines, with vacuum actuated tobacco dischargechambers. The vacuum source was separated from the tobacco dischargeThese tobacco feeding devices had the disadvantage that in the laststate of the tobacco charging process the free area of said screen wassubstantially reduced by clogged tobacco so that the vacuum in thedischarge chamber was reduced to a major extent, thus reducing thepressure and density of the tobacco filling in the discharge chamber.This resulted in irregular discharge of the tobacco onto said spreadingdevice for the cigarette making machine and substantially aflfected thequality of the cigarettes.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improvedtobacco feeding device for cigarette making machines which will insure auniform and even supply of tobacco onto the cigarette making machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum pipe line to thetobacco feeding device in a horizontal plane and parallel to a pipe linewhich conveys the tobacco to the feeding device, and also parallel tothe horizontally disposed screen of said feeding device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved operation ofthe tobacco feeding device by extending to a substantial amount thevacuum pipe line and the screen in the direction of the tobacco supplyline such, that these extended parts of the screen and of the vacuumline will extend into said tobacco supply pipe line.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control chamber byextending the vacuum pipe line in the direction of a vacuum source anddisposing in said control operating means for operation of the controlvalve. 7

Further objects and advantages of this invention will readily becomeapparent upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which: V I

Fig. 1 shows the front elevation of the tobacco feeding device accordingto the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows the side view of the device,

Fig. 3 shows the plan view of the device, p

Fig. 4 shows the electrical circuit for the operation of the controldevice of the tobacco feeding device, and

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the inventive device taken alongthe line V-V, in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5thereof, the reference numeral 1 designates the tobacco feeding devicedesigned in accordance with the present invention; The device 1 isdivided by a horizontal screen 2 into an upper vacuum chamber 3 and alower tobacco discharge chamber 4. The vacuum chamber 3 is connected bya horizontal vacuum pipe line 5, disposed in the same direction as thevacuum chamber 3 to a vacuum source (not shown). 7

A horizontal tobacco supply pipe line 6 is provided: at the end of thefeeding device 1, opposite to that of the vacuum chamber '3, said pipeline 6 being connected to the discharge chamber 4. According to thepresent invention the vacuum chamber 3 and the screen 2 are extended bya substantial amount 3a, 2a, respectively, in the direction of thetobacco supply pipe line 6. These extended parts 2a and 3a extend intosaid supply line 6. The surface of the part 6a of the tobacco supplypipe line 6 is enclosed by said extension 3a of the vacuum chamber 3 andis preferably cut off to provide a satisfactory vacuum action from thevacuum chamber 3 into the end part 6a of the pipe line 6. The remainingpart 42 (see Fig. 5) of the pipe line 6a is connected at its ends 40, 41to the projecting parts 38, 39 of the extended vacuum chamber part 3apreferably by welding.

A controldevice 7 which is responsive to the amount of tobacco in thedischarge chamber 4 is provided inside the discharge chamber 4. Thecontrol device 7 comprises a flap rigidly connected to a shaft 8 whichis supported in bearings 9 provided on the stationary wall 10 of thefeeding device 1. A switch lever 11 is connected to said shaft 8 of thecontrol device 7. The lever 11 passes through the wall 10 of the feedingdevice and is operatively connected to a switch 12. p

The discharge chamber 4 is provided with a discharge door 13 which ishingedly connected about a horizontal axis at 13a to the wall 14 (Fig.2) of the vacuum chamber 3. A spring 15, which holds the discharge door13 closed during the filling of .the discharge chamber 4, is fastened onsaid wall 14,: of the vacuum chamber 3. The tension of the spring 15 isadjusted to enable the discharge door 13 to open under a predeterminedweight of the tobacco in the discharge chamber and against the action ofsaid spring 15 when the vacuum in the discharge chamber is interrupted.

According to. the presentinvention the vacuum chamber 3 is extended inthe direction of the vacuum source to form a control chamber 3b. Thecontrol chamber comprises a control valve 16, a throttle 17 and acontrol operating means .30. The bottom of the control chamber 3b isflattened at 19 (see Fig. 3) and air inlet openings 20 and 21 areprovided therein. The control valve 16 is rotatably disposed around itsshaft 18 at right angles to said bottom 19 of. the control chamber 3b.Said air inlet openings 20 and 21 are disposed in theoperating range ofthe lower part 18a of the shaft 18 in. front of'and rear wardly of saidshaft. The control valv e le is provided. with shutters 22 and 23 forclosing said air inlet openings. 20 and 21 when the control valve 16 isoperated. The.

control valve 16 is actuated by means of a sprocket;

wheel 24 provided at the upper end 18b of the valve: shaft 18. Thecontrol operating means 3c comprise a solenoid 27 having an iron core,26. The solenoid Z7 is fastened to a bracket 28'pr'ovided in the housingof the control chamber. A chain 25 actuates said sprocket wheel 24 onthe valveshaft 18: Said chain 25 is connectedwith one end to said ironcore 26 of the solenoid 28 and on its other end to a tension'spring 29(see Fig. 3). When the solenoid is energized the core 26 will exert apulling force onto the chain'25 against the action of saidspring 29 andthus' rotate thesprocket wheel 24 and-the control valve 16; \F/hen thesolenoid 27 is deenergizcdf the tension spring 29 will exert a pullingforce in opposite direction onto said chain 24 and will actuate thevalve 16 in reversed direction. I The operationof the tobaccofeedingdevice, considering also the circuit of Fig.4, isas follows I A timeswitch 30 (see Fig. 4), which can beadju's'te'd the supply pipeline 6,the relay will be energized. The

relay closes the contacts 33a and 33b in the energizing circuit of thesolenoid 27 and energizes the solenoid. The energized relay'3 2'simultaneously'closesthe operating contacts 36a'and'36b, therebyoverbridging the contacts 35a and 35b .of the time switch 34 'so thatthe energizing. circuits of the relay 32fand of the solenoid 27 willremain closed. The closure of energizing circult of the solenoid 27 willactuate the iron core'26 and the chain 25 will actuate the control valveinto its opening position. The vacuum 'source' will be connected overthe vacuum pipe line 5 to the vacuum chamber 3 so that the feedingdevice 1 and the'supply line' 6 will become operative. i

'The tobacco will be conveyed from the supply pipe line 6 to thedischarge chamber 4. A uniformvacuum will bemaintained during the wholefilling period of the discharge chamber 4 until same is completelyfilled. This continuous uniform vacuum is made possible by the inventive arrangement of the extended part 2a of the screen 2 and the part3a of the vacuum chamber 3 extending into the part 6a of the tobaccosupply pipe line 6. When the discharge chamber 4 is filled with the Ytobacco the switch 12 will be actuated over lever 11 and shaft 8 by thecontrol device 7 which will now be pressed by the tobacco against thewall '10 of the discharge chamber 4 and thus actuate the switch 12. Thisaction of switch 12 will release the cntact'37a and 37b and will openthe energizing circuit ofthe relay 32. This will subsequently open theenergizing circuit of the sole noid 27; The tensioning spring 29 willactuate {the con trol valve 16 in reversed direction closing the vacuumpipe line 7 and 23, which kept closed the air inlet opening 20 and 21,will open said inlet openings and will introduce the air at atmosphericpressure into the vacuum chamber 3 and the discharge chamber 4. The door13 will be opened against the action of spring 15 by the weight of thetobacco, evenly distributing the tobacco onto the spreader of thecigarette machine. Y

The throttle 17 is'adjustably supportedin the control 3b for adjustingthe vacuum condition in the vacuum chamber 3. a 7 r While thedescription discloses a specific structure of a tobacco feeding devicefor cigarette making machines,

' it is to be understood that the same has been described merely for thepurpose of illustration, and that changes and modifications may readilybe made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention. 7

WhatIclaimis: V 1. A tobacco feeding device for cigarette making machines and the like, comprising an elongated horizontal 'vacuum chamber,an elongated horizontal charging chamber mounted beneath said vacuumchamber, a horizontal screen disposed between said chambers, said vacuumchamber being of a greater length than said charging chamber to extendbeyond the ends thereof, a horizontal vacuum pipe line connecting asource of vacuum to one end of said vacuum chamber, a horizontal tobaccosupply pipe line connected to said charging chamber located at the endof said charging chamber in opposition to said vacuum pipe line, atleast one hingedly connected discharge door in said charging chamber;sad vacuum pipe and said supply line being disposed parallel to eachother and to said screen, and arranged one above the other, a pair ofdepending side Walls on the extended portion 2,94o,79s I W 7 p l Vtobacco supply pipe, the arrangement of said horizontal pipe lines beingsuch that the screen and the vacuum chamber are horizontally extended asubstantial amount in the direction of said tobacco supply line, theextended portion of the horizontal screen and of the' vacuum chamberbeing in communication with said tobacco sup- 7 ply line.

'2; A'tobacco feeding device for cigarette making ma chines and thelike, comprising an elongated horizontal vacuum chamber, an elongatedhorizontal charging .chamber mountecl beneath saidfvacuum chamber, ahorizontal screen disposed between said chambers, said vacuum chamberbeing of a greater length than said' charging chamber to extendbeyondtheendsthereof, a horizontal'vacuum pipe line connecting a source ofvacuum to one end of said vacuum chamber, a horizontal tobacco supplypipe line connected to said charging chamber and located at the end ofsaid chamber opposite said a vacuum pipe line, at least one hingedlyconnected dis- 5. At the same time the shutter means '22 charge door insaid' charging chamber, spring 'means provided on said vacuum chamberfor closing said discharge door, said vacuum pipe and said supply linebe ing disposed one above the other in spaced apart parallel planes withthe screen arranged in a plane'intermediate and parallel to the planesof said vacuum pipe and supply line, the arrangement of said horizontalpipe parts of the horizontal screen and vacuum chamber are incommunication with said tobacco, supply line.

3. A tobacco feeding device for cigarette making machines and thelike,comprising an elongated horizontal vacuum chamber, an elongatedhorizontal charging cham-f ber mounted beneath said vacuum chamber, ahorizontal screen disposed between said vacuum and charging chambers,said vacuum chamber being ofa greater length than said charging chamberto extend beyond the ends thereof, a horizontal vacuum pipe lineconnecting a source of vacuum to one end of said vacuum chamber, ahorizontal tobacco supply pipe line connected to said'charging chamberand located at the end of said charging chamber in opposition to saidvacuum pipe line at least one hingedly connected discharge door insaidcharging chamber, an

ot said vacuum chamber overlying the tobacco supply f electric switchlocated at one end ofsaid charging chamber, responsive to the amount oftobacco: in said charging chamber, a pivotally mounted sensing "membermounted in the charging chamber adjacent said switch and responsive tothe quantity of tobacco in said'charging chamber operatively connectedto said switch for controlling the vacuum in said vacuum chamber, saidvacuum pipe and said supply line being disposed in planles parallel toeach other and parallel to the, plane of said screen and arranged offsetone above the other, a pair of depending side walls on the extendedportion of said vacuum chamber overlying the tobacco supply pipe andform'- ing a duct through an ope i g in the tobacco supply pipe, thearrangement of said horizontal pipe lines being such 1 that the screenand vacuum chamber are horizontally ex tended a substantial amount inthe direction of said tobacco supply line with the extended parts ofthe'horizontal screen and vacuum chamber in communication with saidtobacco supp ly line. 7

4. A tobacco feed'ng device for cigarette making machines and the like,comprising an elonga't'ed horizontal vacuum chamber, an elongatedhorizontal charging cfhamber'mounted beneath said vacuumchamben-ahorizontal screen disposed between '-said chambers, said' vacuum chamberbeing of a greater length -than saidcharg'ing chamber to extend beyondthe ends thereof, a horizontal vacuum pipe line connecting a source ofvacuum to one end of said vacuum chamber, a'horizontal tobacco supplypipe line connected to said charging chamber located at the end of saidchargingchamber' opposite said'vacuum pipe line, at least one hingedlyconnected discharge-door lines being such that the screen and vacuumchamber are" horizontally extended a substantial amount in the direc- 7tion of said .tobacco supply line, and that the extended in saidcharging chamber, said vacuum pipe line and" said tobacco supply linebeing disposed in parallel planes offset from one another and from saidscreen, the portion of said vacuum chamber extending horizontally in thedirection of said source of vacuum forming a control chamber, a rotarycontrol valve in said control chamber, and a control operating means onsaid control chamber above said valve, said control valve being disposedwith its axis of rotation arranged vertically in said chamber and beingactuated by said control operating means, a pair of depending side Wallson the extended portion of said vacuum chamber overlying the tobaccosupply pipe and forming a duct through an opening in the tobacco supplypipe, the arrangement of said vacuum chamber and tobacco supply pipebeing such that the screen and vacuum chamber are horizontally extendeda substantial amount above said charging chamber in the direction ofsaid tobacco supply line with the extended portions of the horizontalscreen and vacuum chamber in communication with said tobacco supplyline.

5. A tobacco feeding device for cigarette maldng machines and the like,comprising an elongated horizontal vacuum chamber, an elongatedhorizontal charging chamber mounted beneath said vacuum chamber, ahorizontal screen disposed between said chambers, said vacuum chamberbeing of a greater length than said discharge chamber to extend beyondthe ends thereof, a horizontal vacuum pipe line connecting a source ofvacuum to one end of said vacuum chamber, a horizontal tobacco supplypipe line connected to said charging chamber and located at the end ofsaid charging chamber in opposition to said vacuum pipe line, at leastone hingedly connected discharge door in said charging chamber, saidvacuum pipe and said supply line being disposed in offset parallelplanes one above the other with the screen extending horizontallytherebetween, the portion of said vacuum chamber extending horizontallyin the direction of said source of vacuum forming a control chamber, arotary control valve in said chamber, and a control operating meansmounted on said control chamber, said control valve being disposed withits axis of rotation arranged vertically in said control chamber andbeing actuated by said control operating means to alternately open andclose said valve, a pair of depending side Walls on the other end ofsaid vacuum chamber overlying the tobacco supply pipe and providing aductway through an opening in the supply pipe, the arrangement beingsuch that the screen and vacuum chamber are horizontally extended asubstantial amount in the direction of said tobacco supply line with theextended parts of the horizontal screen and vacuum chamber incommunication with said tobacco supply line, a vertical shaft in saidcontrol valve, said vacuum chamber being provided with a flathorizontally disposed bottom wall in its extended portion having airinlet openings, said openings being disposed in front and rearwardly ofsaid shaft, a shutter on the lower end of said control valve shaft, saidshutter being attached to said shaft at right angles to the axis of thesame and in operative relation with the air inlet openings in the bottomwall of said vacuum chamber extension.

6. A tobacco feeding device for cigarette making machines and the like,comprising an elongated horizontal vacuum chamber, an elongatedhorizontal charging cham- N ber mounted beneath said vacuum chamber, ahorizontal screen disposed between said chambers, said vacuum chamberbeing of a greater length than said charging chamber to extend beyondthe ends thereof, a horizontal vacuum pipe line connecting a source ofvacuum to one end of said vacuum chamber, a horizontal tobacco supplypipe line connected to said charging chamber and located at the end ofsaid charging chamber in opposition to said vacuum pipe line, at leastone hingedly connected discharge door in said charging chamber, asensing control member in said charging chamber adjacent one endthereof, said vacuum pipe line and tobacco supply line being disposed inparallel offset horizontal planes arranged one above the other with thehorizontal screen disposed therebetween, the portion of said vacuumchamber extending horizontally in the direction of said source of vacuumforming a control chamber, a pivotally mounted control valve in saidchamber, and a control operating member on said control chamber, saidcontrol valve being disposed to rotate about a vertical axis in saidcontrol chamber and being actuated by said control operating means, apair of depending side Walls on the extended end portion of said vacuumchamber overlying the tobacco supply pipe and forming a ductway throughan opening in the tobacco supply pipe, the arrangement of said vacuumchamber overlying the tobacco supply pipe being such that the screen andextended portion of the vacuum chamber project horizontally asubstantial distance in the direction of said tobacco supply line withthe extended portions of the horizontal screen and vacuum chamber incommunication with said tobacco supply line, said pivotally mountedcontrol valve including a vertical shaft, said vacuum chamber beingprovided with a flat horizontally disposed bottom wall in its extendedportion in the direction of said vacuum pipe line, said bottom wallbeing provided with air inlet openings, disposed in front and rearwardlyof said shaft axis, a shutter valve on the lower end of said shaft ofsaid control valve, said shutter valve being attached to said valveshaft at right angles to the axis thereof and in operative relation withthe air inlet openings in said bottom wall, said control operating meansincluding an elecuo-magnetic device operatively connected to said valveshaft for turning said shaft in one direction and actuating said controlvalve in response to the action of the sensing control member in saidcharging chamber which is responsive to the amount of tobacco in saidchamber and spring means for rotating said control valve shaft in theopposite direction upon de-energization of said electro-magnetic device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS521,676 Schulze June 19, 1884 571,473 Elliot Nov. 17, 1896 705,310Seifert July 22, 1902 2,149,056 Klux Feb. 28, 1939 2,153,984 Leicht Apr.11, 1939 2,812,217 Koch et al Nov. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 552,229Germany June 11, 1932

